The city itself is a cool place to vist, but not live. And life in the DC suburbs seems to be really overrated. I go through there a lot, the people never seem to be really happy, and a lot of them seem to just be stupid.

Living in nothern VA, I go to DC some times. It isn't the greatest place in the world, but the cherry blossoms and Fourth of July fireworks are enough to keep me coming back at least twice a year!

Locus of most of the problems in this country. A sterile antheap overrun with a**hole Republicans and Democrats alike. A morally corrupt haven for influence peddlers, political groupies, gladhanders, greedheads, powerhungry twerps, and clueless pundits to ply their mutant and questionable scams and getover schemes. The food sucks here, but you could hardly tell by the average girth of all those hippo lardasses in Congress, an august body (aha) that has a per capita tonnage of about 375 pounds (see Hyde, Sensenbrenner, Jerrold Nadler, etc.). Has two fine museums and several meaningless memorials that would be put to better use under the wrecking ball. This would allow private industry to erect some more strip malls, drill for oil or establish toxic waste dumps. Remove yourself from the touristy areas, and you'll find yourself in one of the most depressing, despairing, menacing, and unsafe cities in the country. Just remember to bring your flak vest, uzi and rottweiler.

Washington D.C. has many different kinds of attractions for various types of visitors. Great history and is worth visiting. Cost of living is high and traffic is tough. Don't walk around at night, my dad almost got beat up and robbed off the street corner by a guy when waiting for our ride,(my uncle was picking us up because he lives there) but our ride pulled up just in time before something could happen.

A political dump house with people who just wants to make money off of you.

DC is basically both a political slum and a crackhouse.

One of the dirtiest cities I've ever visited, plus it's the center of the government!

One of the dirtiest cities I have ever visited.

I have lived in the D.C. area/region for most of my life, it is a good place to visit, just don't live here. Upside: would be things like the monuments, museums, historical places of interest, churches, universities, restaurants, pubs, shopping. Downside: Over all it is a bad place to live. Most of the people are generally aloof, greedy, clickish, cold, phony, rude, arrogant and self consumed. As a single male this place is terrible. The females are basically very liberal, snooty, spoiled, unapproachable man hating east coast elitist. Sadly women go for either 2 extremes here, either that mythical creature (Mr every) or a gangsta, little middle ground. Definately a shortage of single unattached women to boot. The cost of living here is unreal, especially real estate and rent. Traffic...I hate to even go there, put it this way, I usually drive between 2-3 hour a day commuting to and from work. The climate is usually humid, cloudy and rainy during the Summer, Fall is by far the best time of year, the remaining months are cool and gloomy. Conclusion: If your thinking about living here...reconsider!

Lived here for 25 years. Had my fair share of fun but D.C is too conservative and yuppyfied. Too segragated and crime ridden. Great close in suburban communities like Chevy Chase Maryland and Alexandria Virginia. Great architecture and history, and nice parks. Still too segregated, and dangerous.

Yes I suppose DC has some problems. Although I don't live there I have worked in the city for several years and have traveled the roads and by ways of almost all the areas in and around the city. I have seen good things and bad things. D.C. is a work in progress, like the problem in Iraq, it isn't going to fix itself over night but I have seen some areas transformed and improved during the last couple years. It bothers me how people like to give the city a bad rap simple because they've witnessed some of the bad things that happen..just like in any other major city. Yes, DC does have a homeless problem and a drug problem. The city government is spending a lot to help the homeless and to fight the drug problems. I know this because I drive to the many homeless shelters in the course of doing my job and I see the increased police presence when the money is available to pay them. More money is being spent but money can't fix every problem. One of the nice things about DC is that is probably the only other city other than NY to have such a diverse ethic and cultural population. Although these people have many differences, some how they all seem to get along...even on bad traffic days! Yes traffic is bad in DC on given days and the road systems are in need of better maintenance but the city simply doesn't have the funds to fix um' all. It would be nice to see the Fed's kick in some bucks to help with this problem. Hopefully before any more manhole covers blow-up!

Washington D.C. is a great city I am from there. There is so much to do an see. I think it is one of the best cities in America if not the best city.

Its like a schizophrenic city. On one hand the ultimate of intellectual riches like the Smithsonian, the inspring words on the great monuments, national art gallery and the might of the U.S. government in action. But, all these seem to be situated like islands in a third world ocean of negligence and poverty. Terrible traffic jams leaving town in the evening, even a Saturday. Seems like potholes on the road you can lose your car in. Beggars on the streets. Slums in view of the Congress. What the hell is up America? Put a bit of money into the place, the city really needs a big renovaation. I like Ottawa Canada, for the city amibence, with all the gardens, green belts and canals, etc. Maybe the U.S. needs a National Capital Commission like they set up in Ottawa about sixty years ago to spruce the place up. I enjoyed seeing the sites and then I really enjoyed leaving town. It shouldn't be that way.

This place is the best city or location in the United States. Although the city is known for government and politics (and rightfully so), one can arrive at 2 am on a Tuesday and find something exciting to do. Although northern Virginia has its share of yuppies, it is aesthetically gorgeous. Trying to avoid generalizations, the people of suburban Maryland seem to have an urbane, yet middle-class and down to earth demeanor. I've never visited a better place, hopefully I'll never live in abetter one.

You cant think of DC as one city, it is a combination of Arlington, Alexandria, Bethesda, Mclean etc. This leads to a huge variety of choices in restaurants, shopping, housing, transportation etc. within a 20 mile radius. Powerhungry people - lawyers, consultants, lobbyists - if you are not one of these, dont bother moving here - you wont fit in.

I totally agree with EasternSpirit. I have lived in Northern Virginia for 6 months. I am looking forward to moving away. No warmth. Stuck-up. Arrogant. I just can't figure out WHY they are so uppity! About what? I only see greed and selfishness.

I have to agree with TropicalOne about the DC area. I lived in Northern Virginia for a little while, and couldn't stand it. Very cookie-cutter type development, very cold, snobby, power-hungry people. Politics and power not only pervade DC proper, but also invade the areas just outside DC. It's a great place to visit, many reviews can tell you that. But it's a crappy place to live, unless you too are into the power-hungry mold.

Truly a great city, the european feel of the city is so different than any other american city I can think of there is no better place than in the spring time then D.c.

Washington is a nice city to visit, it has a good variety of restaurants, museums and points of interest. If you plan on moving to DC, get ready to look hard for an affordable place to live. Housing is sparse here. There are a few bad neighborhoods to watch out for. The cost of living is fairly high here, it's not the most expensive city though. Still, I like the feel of the city. The Elyseisan design makes the city look wide and open; it looks more European than most American cities. If you want to eat something different and tasty, try any of the Ethiopian restaurants in DC, excellent food. It's a must see city.

City of Washington is gorgeous especially in the Spring, with outdoor cafes, and no billboards it has a european fell. most people would compare it to paris rather than say NewYork, and while it can improve on some things, between Washington and Sanfrancisco there's nothing better

Washington D.C. arguably the most underrated city I've been in, classic arcitecture, beautiful scenery, neighborhoods with characture, tony shopping and posh restauraunts. i simply love it

Yeah, Washington sure is nice, with all the architecture and statury and monuments...overlooking crowds of shuffling homeless people and crack dealers. It is a very appropriate American capital - filled with a lot of large phallic monuments and the highest rate of violent crime in the country. I hope this city gets wiped off the face of the planet by some God-sent catastrophe.

It's a shame that the Nation's Capital is also the murder Capital.

It's a great place to visit-the attractions are countless. But as a place to live it SUCKS!!!!! The people are the most CLICKY, UNFRIENDLY people I have ever seen! You really have to "think like the way they think" in order to "fit in." I am so glad I moved out of that rude, power-hungry hole! If you people disagree you can write to me at TropicalGreen2@aol.com

D.C. really is a weak place to live. Everything is geared towards tourists, which gives the place ZERO original character. It is good to come and see the monuments, etc. once in a lifetime, but that stuff, which is constantly listed as the best the city has to offer, gets old in a hurry for residents. I can't wait to get out of here and back to America.

D.C. is a fun and educational place to visit. IT has so many interesting sites, such as monuments and memorials. It is very important to our nation's history. However, many of the neighborhoods are very poor looking, and you often see homeless people begging for change.

The absolute best transportation system I ever seen its air conditioned, quiet, spotless, and has carpet. The people are respectful and orderly(Other cities should visit washington for tips) Also a very scenic city for it to be so small it contains a very big city atmosphere and is the only city on the east coast that does not have a inferior complex when it comes to NY! Besides the way the city is made up and built your more likley to compare it to paris or london before NewYork.

The only city where you can have statues of confederate Generals and Parks named after Malcom X, lol! Cultures are accepted here and with no skycrappers and no billboards and a host of outdoor cafes and parks you would think you were in Paris very beautiful

I'm origionally from the Baltimore-DC Area, and I plan on going to college at AU, so I'm a bit biased here. However, I'm sure we can all agree that Washington D.C. is a beautiful city to visit with enough tourist attractions to keep visitors busy for a few days. As Americans, we should each travel to this nation to see what our country is all about- our heritage, our history and our government. There are some parts of the city that you want to stay out of, but every city has its bad parts. I suggest that any red-blooded American visit Washington D.C. at least one time in their life for a true American experience. "Washington D.C. is a city of northern charm and southern efficiency"- JFK.

Love DC, a great hub of culture and national history. Make sure to check out Georgetown for great restuarants, bars, and shopping.

The museums, monuments and some NW neighborhoods are great, but the rest.... Most of the city is a crime-ridden ghetto, the inmates run the prison (DC government), the traffic is offensive and getting worse, and the surrounding burbs lack any semblence of character. And the cost of living is outrageous. And I live there!

NOTHING

The sights were great, I especially liked the Smithsonian, but I went in the summer and it was unbearably hot and crammed with people. Maybe I'll go some other time and be able to relax a little.

I love this town. I visit Washington every year because there is always something to do that I missed the year before. Sure, there are areas that you want to stay out of but show me a city that doesn't have those.

WASHINGTON DC # 1 !? the worst crime rate in north america, and terrible trasit system, not to mention terrorists flying planes into the pentagon. GARBAGE CITY

The buck stops here, end of story. To try to even associate Miami, Chicago or LA with DC is a total joke. Although, NYC I could agree with.

Traffic, Transcients, and Politics kill this city. But, I do encourage a visit, the history, architecture, and witnessing the machine that is the U.S. government is worth it anyway. However, I must state that the Metro area is very expensive. Most people live in suburbia, and that's just as expensive. But, if outrageously priced suburban living is your thing-- Go For It.

Easily our most European City. . .Impossible to navigate with a car but this is part of its charm. Locals and tourists bitch about the traffic but I like it- it scares away the meek and weak. . .besides, DC has the only subway system in the country that I consider functional. Locals aren't dismissive of tourists, either. Excellent museums and historical sites. Underrated theater, good bars. Bad stuff- going out costs a lot of $. Locals can only talk about their jobs. Weird fact- I've never seen a city with so many beautiful women with ugly guys. (Money? Power?) A local woman told me that working women in DC sometimes come to the initial conclusion that "an attractive guy in this town is probably gay." Take from that what you will. . . The women can be tough to approach but they are usually classy. Overall, a great place to go to school, visit, or spend a few years while working. I've lived in other parts of America and DC isn't really "America" to me. DC is DC. Everything else is really 'America' But I digress, I like it here.

An amazing, powerful city, with so much history and beauty. Even those who are not necessarily "patriotic" will feel the pull of 200+ years of great history. So much to do and see. Just don't get shot--crime is kinda high!

Historical locations and museums make this city worth seeing. The crime needs to be totally eliminated from the city to make it safer for all to visit with some peace of mind.

The Washington Mall is beautiful, the Spirit Cruises on the Potomac are a blast and the museums are great!

There's nothing like walking / driving / biking along the Potomac River on a warm spring day, and seeing the Monuments laid out besides you and the skyline of Rosslyn and Georgetown looming in the distance. Probably my second favorite city after San Francisco.

Lots to do, friendly, clean. Just a beautiful city.

Lot's to do and see - a great place to visit if you want to learn. However, if you aren't into politics, avoid the locals - they don't know how to discuss anything else.

Lived in metro Washington two different times. Some say it has Northern charm and Southern efficiency. It has gotten more Northeastern with the rudeness and bad drivers, but it still is a lovely city with fascinating history and architecture. The Smithsonian alone put it on top of my list of fav cities to visit.

Everyone should live there for two or three years

Don't visit during the hot, hot summer, but DC has a lot for tourists and there's great places to live in the MD and VA suburbs. With no buildings taller than the Washington monumument, DC has a different "feel" (more open, more friendly) than most cities.

D.C. is OK but to say it is in the top echelon of cities in the US is absurd. It does not compare to NYC, LA, Miami, or Chicago in any catagory except for maybe having more idiot politicians than anywhere else. I have lived there and it is weak.

American University makes D.C. the best city to visit in the world!!!

The best of all! This city has fun, sun, politics, business! Anything & Everything for anyone!!